Inertia impact switch



Oct. 21, 1969 BOBlER ETAL INERTIA IMPACT SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. '7, 1967 INVENTORS f. E 505/5? 45/M/0 M555? A flQ/VE/ Oct. 21, 1969 BOBlER ET AL 3,474,202

; INERTIA IMPACT SWITCH Filed Dec. 7, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS E 505/51? United States Patent US. Cl. 200-61.45 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An inertia switch which resets easily at any angle or disposition, so that when mounted within an overturned vehicle in which the occupant may need current to open a power-actuated window or the like to get out of such vehicle, the contacts are positively engaged and adjustable to heavy loads. A weight is disposed to be held in line at the top and bottom by points at each end of contact guides and a spring directs weight to the center, so that the contact shaft need be lifted to reset or turn the switch off. A Bowden wire may be used if desired in lieu of the spring.

The present invention relates to vehicle impact inertia switches generally and in particular to an inertia impact switch for disconnecting the ignition and/or battery from the electrical system of the vehicle upon impact of the vehicle with a fixed object or upon impact of an object with the vehicle when the vehicle is standing or by simple reset control lever which turns off the switch or resets it at will of the operator.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide an inertia switch for a vehicle which is foolproof in operation, one which, when actuated by impact or manually until reset automatically by control lever, is locked in the battery-off position, one which is simple in structure, one economical to manufacture and assemble, and one which is highly elfective in theft protection.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a switch for a vehicle which disconnects the electrical system of the vehicle upon a sudden jolt or jar, thus saving the vehicle from damage by any electrical fire, or from fire caused by the engine still in operation after collision, one which may be applied to vehicles of all types, such as boats, aircraft, trucks and automobiles.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the impact inertia switch according to the preferred and selected embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a general cross-sectional view taken along a vertical axis of the inertia switch showing the switch in a set condition;

FIG. 3 shows a similar cross-sectional view, but one in which the switch is disposed in its impact position as shown along the direction of the arrow along the center line thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. l'an inertia impact switch casing of Bakelite or other insulation material of generally circular cross-section along a horizontal cross-section, a base plate 12 forming a closed cylindrical space 14 within said casing, and a metal contact base washer 16 secured and extending across the inner surface of said base.

Within the closed cylindrical space 14, there is mounted ICC on the base a contact weight member 20 having small supporting feet 22, 22, and which is centrally disposed and positioned within the cylindrical space under ordinary and free conditions due to spring elements 26, 26, which are normally under a slight amount of tension in positioning spacially the weight member within the cylindrical space. The springs 26 extend radially about the contact weight member. They are positioned equally about the circumference of the weight member as shown.

Within a central and upper portion of the weight member, there is an upstanding central contact portion 30, which under normal and non-inertial conditions, contacts directly with a spring biased contact rod 36, which is directed perpendicularly toward the weight member and contacts the upstanding central contact portion when the weight member is centrally disposed, but when the impact switch 10 is subjected to an impact in a direction opposite to the arrow 50, shown in FIG. 3, then the Weight member 20 moves in the direction of the arrow 50 due to such impact resulting in displacing the rod 36 from the central portion so then it is offset therefrom, and thus the rod 36 is then positioned on the lower or depressed portion 52 of the weight member. Now this results in the rod permanently and continuously then contacting the depressed portion 52, which is in insulation portion and thus contact with the central portion 30 is broken.

The rod 36 contacts a conductor 60 and the base plate 16 similarly contacts a conductor 62, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The spring 64 which is provided to bias the rod 36 downwardly may have its tension adjusted by turning the shaft guide member 68, and a washer 70 as provided on the rod 36, to retain the spring 64 in place. It is thus seen that an impact applied opposite to the arrow 50 causes the inertia weight member 20 to slide on the contact base 16, so that the contact rod 36 is displaced or slides off the central portion 30, and then is locked in a downward position on the insulation washer 52.

To reset the impact switch, the insulation cap nut 76 is pulled up for raising the tip end of the shaft or rod 36 within the case so that the weight member 20 is allowed to center itself within the cylindrical space 14, and then the rod 36 is caused to be released by lowering the cap nut 76 until the rod 36 again engages the central contact portion 30. At this time, current will then flow through the wire 60, the rod 36, the central portion 30, the contact weight member 20, the feet 22, 22, and the conductor 62 to cause and effect a complete electrical closed switch, until impact is again directed horizontally onto the impact switch 10.

Additional embodiments of the invention in this specification will occur to others and therefore, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only by the appended claims and not by the embodiment described hereinabove.

Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An inertia impact switch comprising a casing of Bakelite or the like, of generally circular cross-section along a horizontal cross section, a base plate forming a closed cylindrical space within said casing, a metal contact base washer extending across the inner surface of said base plate, a single central contact member extending through said base plate and said base washer for connection to an electrical lead, a contact weight member having feet for contacting said base washer, spring elements positioned spacially and radially about the contact weight member, an upstanding central contact portion on the upon the spring biased contact rod renders its bias adjust- 3 4 upper surface of the weight member, and a spring biased References Cited contact rod directed perpendicularlytoward the weight FOREIGN PATENTS member and contacting the upstanding central contact portion when centrally disposed, but is offset therefrom 8481419 7/1939 France.

upon impact.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the cas- 5 ROBERT SCHAEFER Pnmary Exammer ing is bell shaped. M. GINSBURG, Assistant Examiner 3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein means US. Cl. X.R.

able. ZOO-61.53 

